However, VIP Industries (down 2.55 per cent), Titan Company (down 0.67 per cent), PC Jeweller (down 0.36 per cent) and Rajesh Exports (down 0.14 per cent) were the losers in the index.

Equity market was firm on gains led by bank, financial and auto stocks. Short-covering of bets on the last session of the futures and options contracts of July series and strengthening rupee against the dollar, kept the overall market sentiment high.

Benchmark BSE Sensex was up 90 points at 36,948, while the NSE Nifty50 index was up 20 points at 11,152.

In the Sensex index, 19 stocks were advancing, while 12 were declining.

State Bank of India, ICICI Bank and Power Grid Corporation were among the top gainers in the Sensex index.

Maruti Suzuki, YES Bank and Larsen & Toubro were among the top losers in the Sensex kitty of stocks.